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Jian Yanqing was slightly surprised, raising his hand to signal, “Wait for me in the office.”
After finishing what he was working on and reviewing urgent documents for approval, he said to his secretary, “That’s all for today; tomorrow’s meeting will be held as scheduled.”
Jian Xi waited for fifteen minutes, during which the secretary brought her some fruit.
When Jian Yanqing returned to the office, he loosened his tie a bit, “You have time to visit your father today?”
Jian Xi put down the hot tea she was holding, stood up, and frankly stated, “Dad, I want to ask you for a favor.”
“Hmm?” Jian Yanqing walked around the desk, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, “Go ahead.”
Jian Xi briefly explained the matter, succinctly omitting He Ran’s prohibition of her testifying.
After listening for a long while, Jian Yanqing didn’t speak. Jian Xi grew anxious and was about to say something when Jian Yanqing had already picked up his personal phone to make a call.
________________________________________
Northern Suburbs.
In the interrogation room of the police station, He Ran was handcuffed at both hands and feet, restrained on an interrogation chair, with a bright incandescent light shining directly into his eyes.
“On December 18th at 9 AM, you bound the victim to a house in Hutong Alley and made threatening phone calls to the girl’s father. Is that true?”
The officer opposite him spoke righteously, his expression stern.
He Ran gave a faint smile, “True my ass.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the man behind him pressed hard on his injured right shoulder. He Ran immediately broke out in a sweat, “I’ll f*** your whole family.”
The man swung his stick again, “Don’t get cocky.”
He Ran along with the chair was thrown to the ground. Clenching his teeth, he looked up angrily, “You bastards, don’t let me leave alive. I’ll sue every single one of you scum.”
“Hey, your mouth is pretty tough. The boss said to beat you up till you’re dead.” The man’s gaze turned fierce, raising his foot to kick when knocking sounded.
A plainclothes man entered hurriedly, whispering a few words into the investigator’s ear.
The investigator’s expression became tense, quickly standing up and pointing at He Ran, “Release him.”
The person who had been hitting him couldn’t believe it, “What? Don’t make a mistake, the chief clearly…”
“I said release him,” he rushed past the wooden table, hurriedly unlocking He Ran’s cuffs while warning the complainer under his breath, “Is the chief bigger or the bureau chief bigger? The city bureau called personally.”
He Ran suppressed the intense pain, his eyes filled with hesitation upon hearing this.
He pressed on his shoulder, walking slowly out. It was late, heavy with dew, and the wind howled.
Master Jia’s tactics were still as despicable as ever. He Ran was used to it, licking his molars and spitting out bloody saliva.
Before stepping off the police station’s steps, a white car smoothly approached, blocking his path.
He Ran’s expression flickered slightly; Jian Xi rolled down her window, coldly staring at him. They locked eyes, and He Ran’s expression shifted from surprise to calmness, finally breaking into a teasing smile.
Seeing him stare made Jian Xi furious, snapping, “I just came to see if your arm is broken.”
He Ran tilted his head, feigning hurt, “It’s broken.”
“Good,” Jian Xi turned away, her fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly.
He Ran wasn’t in a hurry, letting her remain silent. With difficulty, he fished out a cigarette from his pocket and bit it between his teeth.
Jian Xi sighed softly, exasperated, then turned her head again, “Get in the car.”
He Ran raised an eyebrow and sat in the passenger seat. The bruises from punches crossed his face, adding to his roguish charm.
Jian Xi turned the steering wheel, her profile beautiful yet cold. He Ran put the cigarette back in the box, leaned against the seat, closed his eyes, and said, “Stop by a pharmacy when you see one. My arm hurts a lot, I need to buy some medicine.”
Jian Xi’s tone was icy, “Serves you right if you die of pain.”
He Ran’s breath hitched slightly as he endured the pain in his shoulder blade and apologized, “I’m sorry, I always snap at you. But honestly, you can’t step forward in situations like this. Those people aren’t good.”
“You look like a bad guy to me,” Jian Xi’s anger hadn’t fully subsided, but his explanation made her feel somewhat better.
He Ran’s injuries weren’t minor. He remained silent, his expression rigid. “There’s a pharmacy ahead, stop the car, go home early.”
Jian Xi didn’t slow down, speeding past.
He Ran: “...”
“Hello, Director Chen, it’s Xiao Jian.” Jian Xi took out her phone and dialed, smiling, “Sorry for disturbing you so late. Yes, I have a friend with an injured hand, I’d like you to take a look. Alright, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
After hanging up, her expression turned cold again.
He Ran snickered, “Did you learn face-changing in Sichuan? This technique is top-notch. Are you pulling strings for me? Hey, Dr. Jian, actually, you don’t really dislike me, do you?”
Jian Xi’s hand unconsciously tightened on the steering wheel. She suppressed her racing heart and coldly said, “I just don’t stoop to your level.”
He Ran’s eyebrows twitched slightly, joy bubbling inside him like soda fizz.
He straightened up a bit, leaning towards Jian Xi, his warm breath brushing her neck, “Oh, Dr. Jian, such compassion.”
Jian Xi’s skin tingled, her breathing becoming erratic.
He Ran reverted to normal, clearing his throat, “There’s nothing ahead, why did you slam on the brakes?”
Jian Xi: “Shut up.”
Hmph. He Ran thought, she’s embarrassed and angry.
________________________________________
Orthopedics Department, Hospital.
After taking X-rays and being thoroughly examined by the doctor, He Ran finished his consultation with a bag of medication.
“Using connections is convenient. Forget about it being night; even during the day, without waiting for two hours, you won’t get seen.” He Ran carried the medication, walking behind Jian Xi, “I said, can you slow down a bit? I just praised you for your compassionate heart.”
Jian Xi stopped, crossing her arms in front of her chest, “You…”
“I didn’t misjudge you,” He Ran interrupted, his expression softening across the short distance, “Stubborn-mouthed but kind-hearted, slender waist, pretty hands.”
Jian Xi was momentarily stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh. Being praised by this man felt different.
And rhyming too.
They looked at each other, silently dispersing the evening’s discomfort in their silent gaze.
Jian Xi pursed her lips, saying, “Let’s go, I’ll take you home.”
He Ran approached her apologetically, “Sorry, I was supposed to pick you up after work. Instead, I spent the whole evening doing stupid things.”
Jian Xi: “No need to apologize, whether you come or not doesn’t matter.”
He Ran clicked his tongue, “You women, always stabbing knives into people’s hearts.”
Jian Xi jingled her car keys, “Get in before I change my mind.”
“There’s only an old lady at home; if I go back looking like this, she might have a heart attack.” He Ran said, “You go, I’ll find somewhere to stay for the night.”
Jian Xi tightened her grip on the keys, asking, “Do you have money?”
He Ran laughed, “Already confiscated by the cops.”
“No money, where will you stay?”
“There’s a sheltered spot by the ATM.”
Jian Xi neither agreed nor disagreed, walking ahead silently. He Ran watched her figure, slim like a crescent moon, gradually shrinking.
He lowered his gaze, rubbing the tip of his shoe on the ground twice, preparing to leave—
“Hey.” It was Jian Xi.
He Ran turned around; Jian Xi stood far away, but her voice was clear, “My place is nearby, sleep on the sofa.”
Ten words, calm and detached, struck He Ran with unexpected warmth and satisfaction.
________________________________________
“The sofa is a bit small, block it with two chairs. Here are blankets and pillows. If you’re still cold, there’s a cashmere blanket.” After explaining, Jian Xi placed the items on the sofa, “Oh, do you watch TV? The remote is underneath.”
He Ran’s tall stature seemed to occupy most of the air. Jian Xi attempted to diminish his strong presence as she headed to the bedroom.
“Dr. Jian.” He Ran asked, “Can I borrow your shower?”
“Sure.” Jian Xi said, “Wait, I’ll get you a towel.”
After she went into the bedroom, he surveyed the apartment.
Sixty square meters was enough for one person. The decoration was new, simple, and tidy. On the left was a photo wall with three pictures of Jian Xi and a man.
“That’s my younger brother.” Jian Xi emerged from the bedroom, draping a blue towel over her arm, “He’s three years younger than me.”
He Ran moved his gaze, “Close sibling relationship.”
“Forced close, very annoying.” Jian Xi complained habitually, “Like a kid.”
“Mind or body?” He Ran accepted the towel, laughing as he joked.
“A giant baby at 188 cm.” Jian Xi also laughed.
He Ran raised an eyebrow, “Same height as me?”
“Are you 188 cm?” Jian Xi glanced at him.
He Ran was quite displeased, “What’s with that look, doubting me? Come on, let’s compare.”
“Not alike, I think you’re at most 185 cm.” Jian Xi walked over, using her left hand to measure between his head and hers, “See, I can reach. If it were Tao Xing...”
Jian Xi stopped, noticing He Ran’s unhidden laughter as he openly gazed at her.
Too close, they were too close, just a fist’s distance apart, as if the next second she would fall into his embrace.
He Ran’s voice dropped low, his throat grazing her earlobe, “You found out, I’m really only 185 cm, Dr. Jian... You’re so amazing...”
Jian Xi abruptly retreated, utterly speechless.
He Ran’s lips curved lightly upward, “I’ll go take a shower.”
Jian Xi instinctively reminded, “Lock the door.” She feared he might act up again.
“What?” He Ran turned sideways, his expression deep, “Afraid you can’t control yourself?”
Jian Xi didn’t understand, “What?”
“Can’t control rushing in to watch me.” He Ran said, “It’s fine, if you want to watch, I can pose in eighteen different ways, free of charge.”
Jian Xi was at a loss for words, “You…”
“It’s good that you smiled.” He Ran’s tone softened, his voice returning to calmness, “I said I’d cherish you, but I keep making you unhappy with all sorts of nonsense.”
His straightforward affection and candid expressions were so ordinary.
Ordinary without embellishment, no sweet talk, but this unexpected sincerity made Jian Xi feel…comfortable.
Her thoughtful yet non-rebuttal demeanor made He Ran chuckle softly, “Jian Xi.”
She looked up, “Hmm?”
While she was distracted, He Ran had already taken off his shirt. The bruises and sturdy muscles combined to provide an excellent visual feast.
Smiling faintly, his face bore a gentle confidence:
“In fact, you’re a little attracted to me, aren’t you?”
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